Urgent product recall follows T5 accident

T5 client BAA and main contractor Laing O’Rourke are urging the industry to return potentially faulty adaptors which have been scrutinised as part of the investigation into the recent fatal accident on the Heathrow site.

Product manufacturer SGB has issued an urgent safety alert to its customers recalling the threaded shoring adaptors, which may have undersized stems. The performance of the adaptors has come under examination as part of the incomplete investigations into the accident at T5, which killed one worker and left another critically injured.

Ray O’Rourke, chairman of Laing O’Rourke, said: “Without prejudging the outcome of the investigations into the tragic accident at T5, in the interests of safety across the construction industry, we urge everyone to comply with SGB’s urgent request.”

Tony Douglas, BAA managing director of Terminal 5, added: “We hope that by issuing this statement, it reinforces the need to take seriously this safety alert and act upon it immediately.”

The product was first recalled in 2003; however a number of the adaptors are believed to have remained in the industry.